Laura Bishop Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1-3

by Grace Topping

  When we were finally free to return to our living rooms, Tyrone and I tested the lighting to ensure every area of our room showed to its best advantage. Cleverly hidden extension cords led to lamps that bathed the walls with soft light. Tyrone included lights in the fake windows to give the appearance of late afternoon sunlight. He was a tremendous help, and his skill in creating realistic stage sets was a bonus.

  Focusing on our last efforts enabled me to stop thinking about what Detective Spangler planned to do with Beth’s journal. Had it struck him yet that the whole production team would be leaving soon? Would he be able to delay their departure from town? He had to do something; otherwise, it could be curtains for Chris.

  Where was the detective? I kept hoping he would show up with several police officers like the cavalry in old Westerns.

  Chapter 38

  When selling a home in winter, clear sidewalks and driveways of snow and ice to make it easy and safe for potential buyers to get into your home.

  By late afternoon, the competitors and crew started emptying the fourth floor. Olivia had told us time would be up at four o’clock. In the presence of the competitors, she inspected and locked the door to each space. She probably wanted to prevent anyone from sabotaging a room like Robin had done two years ago.

  Tyrone left earlier to make some last-minute changes to the set for the Music Man production, which would be opening in a few nights. He would be coming back that evening. The film crew had also disappeared. Everyone had just enough time to have dinner and prepare for the evening’s judging and festivities. Since we would be filmed in our living rooms before the judges went through, we would have just enough time to change and look our best.

  Before I left, I stopped in the common area to check my phone for messages from Detective Spangler. I dropped my canvas bag and walking stick on a table and pulled out my phone. Before I could scroll through my messages, I looked up to see Gloria as she walked toward the elevator. “Good luck, Gloria,” I called out and sincerely meant it. Thank goodness I managed to remember her name.

  She looked at me as though wondering if I was for real. “Ah…yes. Thank you.” I guess I had caught her by surprise. Her footsteps echoed in the now empty area. Later it would be filled with people here for the judging.

  I checked my phone—still no message from Detective Spangler. I put it back in my bag and dug for my car key. If I learned nothing else from the past few days, it was to have my car keys out so I could jump into my car quickly.

  “Hello, darling.” Simon came up from behind me, startling me. He put his arm around my shoulders and tried to pull me close. I stiffened and tried to pull away.

  “Unhand me.” His amused look made me realize I sounded like a character from a Regency romance. Fortunately, I hadn’t had much practice rebuffing unwelcome advances and had only read about women dealing with them in romance novels.

  “But, darling, don’t you want the judges to view your room favorably?”

  He was threatening me. “You’ve picked the wrong competitor.”

  “I don’t think so, darling.” He lifted a lock of my long hair and began twirling it around his finger. I reached up and yanked my hair free from his hand.

  “Your reputation as an old letch is well deserved.” I pushed him away from me.

  He grabbed my arm and again pulled me close, trying to nuzzle my neck. “That’s a benefit—I’m good and experienced.”

  Fury filled me. “Beth had your number. Is that why you murdered her?”

  That left him speechless, and he stepped back. “What? Why would I murder Beth?”

  “Because she had the dope on you—how you hit on every female who came to the film set, especially the production assistants. She was preparing to expose you as a sexual predator.”

  “Wait a minute. I admit we talked after the meet and greet, but I left her there very much alive. She became angry and accused me of causing her sister’s death, which I can tell you surprised me. I didn’t even know her sister. When she told me her name, I vaguely remembered her—strange girl. We had a brief fling. She thought I was serious about her and planned to promote her to Olivia’s job. When I told her that wasn’t going to happen, she became distraught and quit.”

  “Kristen told a different story—how you had attacked her. Beth planned to expose you for it. She also planned to expose how you exploited the women who worked for you and the female competitors. Just like you are doing now.”

  “I told Beth to go right ahead and make her allegations. In exchange, I would tell the network she was making them because I refused to give her a promotion. Who would the network believe? Her or me? Olivia would back me up.”

  “Beth lined up witnesses who agreed to bring charges against you.” I didn’t know if that were true, but it wouldn’t hurt to throw that out. “You probably went into a rage at that news and strangled her.”

  “We had words, but I can assure you, I did not kill her. And that’s all I’m going to say on the matter.” He walked away like a leading man making a dramatic exit. Turning in the grand manner he had perfected, he paused, as though for effect. “A shame you lost your opportunity to win the competition.”

  Shaken and angry, I sank into a chair to collect myself. Simon said he hadn’t murdered Beth, but I could hardly believe he would have confessed his guilt to me. He was a talented actor and could convince people of anything. I needed to get this information to Detective Spangler. If we could get statements from the previous production assistants, he might have enough to link Simon to Beth’s murder. I needed to do something to keep him from leaving town tomorrow.

  Chapter 39

  When temperatures drop, turn up the heat. A cold house could give the impression the house has heating problems.

  Anxious to get home and away from the warehouse, I stood to see if my shaking legs could hold me. My run-in with Simon had affected me more than I realized. Feeling somewhat steady, I grabbed my canvas bag and wooden pole and limped toward the exit. Suddenly, Olivia emerged from the shadows cast by the cubicles and stepped in front of me.

  I stopped abruptly. “Olivia. I thought everyone had gone.”

  “They have. It’s only you and me here.”

  Somehow, I didn’t find that comforting. “What brought you back?”

  “I thought you and I could have a little chat.” She looked more like a bulldog than ever.

  I wasn’t in the mood to talk to Olivia. I needed to get out of there and tell Detective Spangler about my experience with Simon. Every time I thought of him touching me, the angrier I became.

  “Is there anything in particular you want to talk about?” I asked. “I really need to leave.”

  “About a call I received from a former production assistant, asking me what was going on. She said someone contacted her with questions about her time with the crew—about the murder of our current production assistant. I presume that call came from you.”

  She presumed right, but I wasn’t going to tell her that.

  You couldn’t leave it alone, could you? Just like Beth, you kept digging and digging.”

  How had she known Beth had been digging? “With my brother charged with Beth’s murder, I plan to do whatever I can to help him.”

  “Blaming Beth’s death on Simon? I witnessed your little contretemps with him. That was quite an accusation you made about him.”

  “He had a motive to kill Beth. Were you aware of his sexual advances to the production assistants and other women, most of it unwelcomed?”

  Olivia shrugged. “In this business, it comes with the turf. Some of them used it to their advantage. Others left because of him. If I liked the ones who left, I helped them find better jobs.”

  “Beth knew how destructive his actions were and set out to stop him. It’s no surprise he’d want to get rid of her. Did you know Beth’s half-sister, Kristin Wilson, had bee
n a production assistant with your company? That she committed suicide after leaving here?”

  Olivia looked surprise. “So Beth joined us with a vendetta—revenge for her sister’s death. Too bad about Kristin, but it’s no surprise she committed suicide. She was emotionally unstable and much too fragile to work in this business.”

  “Did Beth tell you she planned to expose Simon as a sexual predator? That she’d been collecting statements?”

  “Sunday night after the meet and greet, she elicited my help. I tried warning her that her accusations would harm her career more than his. I even offered to pay her to leave. She refused to be scared off. I spent too many years covering up Simon’s messes to have some production assistant ruin everything. Her allegations combined with the recent scandals and the Me, Too movement would have ruined Simon. This time I knew he was in danger. Silly man. He wasn’t worried, thinking no one could touch him. I knew better.”

  Olivia’s ambition and desire to protect her position had blinded her to everything Simon had been doing to the women who worked for him.

  Olivia studied me. “You know, you could have a lucrative career on TV. I could arrange for you to win.”

  She was bribing me to keep quiet about Simon—a murderer!

  “How? By sabotaging the others? And then have you blackmail me later me as you’ve blackmailed Robin?”

  Her head flung back in surprise. “How did you….”

  That’d been a lucky guess on my part. Then it struck me. Olivia said she’d tried warning Beth on Sunday night. Beth had been murdered that night.

  “What time did you talk to Beth on Sunday?” I felt a tremor course through my body.

  Olivia ignored my questions.

  How far would Olivia go to cover up for Simon? When Beth revealed her plans, Olivia must have realized everything was about to crumble down around her. How could I have been so blind? Simon hadn’t murdered Beth. Olivia had.

  “So when Beth refused to be warned off,” my voice began to waver, “you decided to silence her.”

  Olivia placed her hands on her hips as though taking a stance. “I had to protect Simon to protect myself. If he lost his position, the next producer wouldn’t think twice about letting me go. Ageism runs rampant in this business. He’d bring in a young, attractive woman who didn’t know a fraction of what I know. I’ve been able to hang on because Simon needed me. He’s only a handsome façade—I run the show.”

  If Olivia was willing to admit her actions, she must be planning to silence me too. I needed to get out of there.

  “Beth had to be stopped. You can see that, can’t you? I tried warning you by putting the pole across the step. If you were hurt, you wouldn’t be around to mess things up.”

  She reached out and grabbed my arm. “It’s a shame you have to suffer a tragic accident, falling into that elevator shaft.”

  I swung at her with the pole I held in my other hand. When it hit her arm, she released me. Free of her and catching her unawares, I pushed her toward some nearby chairs. She spilled into them with a clatter.

  Without turning to see whether she had gotten up, I hobbled toward the elevator. Pain shot through my left ankle, almost bringing me to my knees. Pain or no pain, I needed to get away from her. Using the pole to help propel me forward, I limped away as quickly as my painful ankle would carry me.

  The open elevator cage stood in front of me. Without a second thought as to its dependability, I jumped onto it. Desperately, I looked at the unfamiliar controls to start the elevator moving. I pushed several, hoping one of them would work.

  Before the door could close, Olivia jumped inside the elevator cage. I nearly shrieked. The cage shuddered, shaking us from side to side, and slowly began descending by inches. Abruptly it stopped between floors. I always feared this elevator would be the death of me.

  I backed against the far side of the cage, holding the pole above my head like a sword ready to strike.

  It didn’t intimidate Olivia. She lunged at me and tried to grab it from my hands. We struggled, and she fell against the other side of the cage, momentarily dazed. She bounded up and came back at me like an enraged animal, forcing me against the elevator cage.

  “I have to protect Simon,” she gasped.

  Her outstretched hands latched on to my throat. I tried to pull them away. They were clasped around my neck so firmly I couldn’t get my fingers under hers. I brought my knee up between us and tried to use it as a wedge to push us apart. I couldn’t breathe and felt myself weakening.

  Wedged between Olivia and the elevator cage, I drew on every ounce of my strength, pulled up my other leg between us, and pushed against her stomach with both feet. Olivia’s hands dropped from my neck and she landed against the other side of the cage with a thud. Holding her chest, she wheezed, trying to suck in air. I grabbed the pole, preparing to strike her hard if she moved an inch.

  I stood panting and vaguely heard the pounding of feet on the stairs outside of the elevator shaft. I looked up to see Detective Spangler, followed by uniformed police officers. The cavalry had arrived—just in time to take Olivia prisoner.

  Through a haze, I became aware of Detective Spangler shouting. With a jerk, the elevator came to life and descended to the next floor. I leaned over, gasping for air, pressing my hands into my chest as though trying to pump more air into it.

  The door to the metal cage sprang open and a police officer grabbed Olivia. Detective Spangler ran in and pulled me to him, holding me up. “Are you okay? I was so afraid we wouldn’t get here in time.”

  Lucky he was clutching me since my knees would have buckled otherwise. I wrapped my arms around him to steady myself. The strength of his arms held me firmly. With my face pressed against his tweed jacket, I became aware of his spicy scent. After my ordeal, his smell and his touch were comforting.

  I looked up at him, still not believing we were standing there in each other’s arms. “How did you know to come now?”

  “Sam called us.” He brushed hair from my face.

  “Sam?” I coughed. Words were getting stuck in my throat. “The audio engineer? How did he know to phone you? The building seemed empty.”

  “Your mic is still turned on. Sam went back into the van and heard you talking—first to Simon and then to Olivia. The best thing, besides calling us, he recorded everything the three of you said.”

  Who would have thought that annoying mic would come to my rescue?

  After what seemed like minutes, I reluctantly let my hands drop and tried to stand on my own.

  Detective Spangler became aware he was still holding me and stepped back awkwardly. “Are you sure you’re okay? Can I help you?”

  I looked out, surprised we were on the first floor. “Could you give me your arm? I twisted my ankle again, trying to get away from Olivia. I’m not sure I can stand on it again. By the way, it was Olivia who killed Beth and left the pole on the stairs, intending to get rid of me. It nearly worked.”

  Chapter 40

  Check your home for any problems that could be considered harmful to health or safety, like missing handrails, broken pavement, or loose carpeting.

  “Do I look like someone just tried to kill me?” I tugged at the turtleneck sweater I wore to cover the bruises on my neck.

  Tyrone and I stood inside our staged living room waiting for the final interviews and judging to begin. After my experience earlier with Olivia, I didn’t think I’d be able to show up for the final event of the competition. But never one to duck out on my obligations, I’d pulled myself together enough to dress and drag myself to the set. Being fussed over by Aunt Kit and Nita had helped.

  “You look terrific,” Tyrone said. He had been stunned when I told him about my experience first with Simon and then with Olivia. “I’m sorry, Laura. I shouldn’t have left you there on your own.”

  “You couldn’t have known.” />
  “I’m surprised they’re still holding the judging.”

  “Well, as Simon is famous for saying, ‘the show must go on.’” We both laughed. “He probably has so much money tied up in the production, he can’t afford to have it held up—murder or no murder.”

  “What do you think will happen to him?’

  “Once reporters get this story, it’ll be all over the news—starting with Leo and his paper. Hopefully, it will further expose Simon for what he is. But it took a brave woman like Beth to do it.”

  Outside our cubicle, people were arriving, and I could feel the level of excitement building. As we waited for our interview, Tyrone began cracking his knuckles. We were both nervous about the outcome of the judging, but Tyrone more so than me. He wanted our room to be judged the best, but most of all, he wanted me to win the competition.

  I surveyed our living room with its warm colors and textures and the feeling of comfort it exuded. It looked every bit like the mountain lodge we planned. I was proud of the room we’d created, and I hoped the judges viewed it favorably.

  The room painted a picture of relaxation. It screamed, come in, curl up on the sofa in front of the fireplace, pull the tartan blanket over you, and relax. The barnwood mantel, roaring fire, and crossed skis over the fireplace would make a homeowner feel like they were on vacation every day.

  After our interview with Robin, she escorted us to a nearby room where we joined the other competitors to wait for the judging to be completed.

  Gloria looked up as we entered and glowered at me. “I suppose you think solving Beth’s murder is going to help you win,” she said.

  “I don’t believe the judges even know what transpired,” I said. “If they do, it shouldn’t make any difference.”

  Brendan sank into a chair. “If you win, we’ll know why.”

  “Oh, come on. Let’s be fair,” Zoe said. “Our rooms will be judged on their own merit and nothing else.”